'No-Kill' meat could be the next culinary revolution

Plus: Reclaiming running's Black history

View this email online November 19, 2022 by Andrea Muraskin This week: It tastes like chicken 'cause it sorta is: inside the brave new world of cultivated meat. And you might want to cover your ears: Researchers say lovers of loudness are at risk for hearing loss. Plus, a new book tells a different story about who can be a runner.  No animals were harmed in the making of this chicken breast Brian L. Frank for NPR In the past few years, vegetarian meat alternatives like Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meat have proliferated across supermarket shelves, and even made the menu at McDonalds and Burger King. These “plant-based” meats were developed in the lab as an upgrade to ye olde veggie burger.  But there’s a new innovation on the horizon: cultivated or “no-kill” meat. That’s where animal cells are cultured and grown, similar to how scientists can grow human heart cells in a lab to study cardiovascular disease. Instead of slaughter, an animal is simply biopsied. Then those cells are placed in tanks, fed nutrients like fats, sugars, amino acids and vitamins, and you end up with meat.  Producing meat this way could be a serious tool in fighting climate change. Cattle burps and farts are a leading source of methane emissions, while lab-grown beef does not pass gas. And cultivated meat eliminates the risk of animal borne pathogens like salmonella.  More than 80 companies see a future in cultivated meat. NPR’s Allison Aubrey donned a hairnet for a tour of one leading company's new 70,000-square-foot facility for a peek into the possible culinary future. Plus: Meathooked: the history and science of our 2.5-million-year obsession with meat Newsletter continues after sponsor message More than 1 billion young people could be at risk of hearing loss, a new study shows Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Listening with AirPods or headphones can be a blissful way to steal back a sense of independence from your roommates' chatter or the cacophony of your commute; immersed in the music, podcast, or video game of your choosing. And in an era when so many meetings happen online, the devices help keep the peace in shared workspaces. But if you're like me and keep your earbuds closer than your best buds, you might want to turn down the volume. In a new study, researchers found that people aged 12 to 35 listened to content at 105 decibels, while recommended noise levels are no more than 85 db. Music venues are often even louder.  They caution that listening at such high volumes can lead to problems with learning, and intensify hearing loss later in life. Here at NPR we endeavor to be gentle on your ears. But even if you're used to absolutely cranking Wait Wait Don't Tell Me in the car every Sunday, there are simple steps you can take to guard against hearing loss.  ​​​​​​​Also: From lawn mowers to rock concerts, our 'deafening world' is hurting our ears   ‘Running While Black’-- A long-distance runner and author reclaims the sport Penguin Random House When Alison Mariella Désir decided to try long-distance running for the first time, she was struggling with anxiety and depression, and using alcohol and Xanax to dull her feelings. She felt disconnected from her body.  Désir says she didn’t think of running as for her, because the bodies she saw in running magazines– mostly lean white people– didn’t resemble her own. But when she saw a social media post from a friend– a 200 pound Black man– who was training for his first marathon, she decided to start training too. Désir says running revived her body, and helped her reconnect with who she was.  “I want that experience for everybody,” Désir told NPR. “It doesn't necessarily just come through running, it can come through walking, kayaking, hiking, any activity that's repetitive, that allows you to receive feedback and gain insight into yourself.” Now an athlete with many runs under her belt and an activist within the sport, Désir’s new book Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn't Built for Us tells the story of her journey. It also reframes the history of American running by highlighting the contributions of Black runners, like Ted Corbitt, who brought the practice of precise mile marking to the sport, and first came up with the idea of a five-borough New York City Marathon.  Désir spoke with writer Beandrea July about her work to counter the white supremacy she sees in the running world.  Also: Ever thought about running a marathon? Here’s how to get started. Before you go: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Listen: Why do we cry? In Boston, Ukrainian surgeons get a crash course in organ transplants Preemies are on the rise, according to The March of Dimes Wimbledon will allow women to wear colored undershorts, in nod to period concerns We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. All the best, and Happy Thanksgiving, Andrea Muraskin and your Shots editors Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. 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